High Court judge orders squatters to end occupation of Mayfair office building

Squatters who have taken over a building in Mayfair were today ordered by a High Court judge to immediately end their eight-day occupation.

About 40 homeless people had been squatting in 16 Grosvenor Street, an office building owned under a lease by developer Quintain. The firm had asked the judge to grant a possession order so the squatters would leave.

Today, Mr Justice Henderson granted the order and told the squatters’ legal representative Jed Miller: “You and the other squatters have no right to remain there. You’re saving an upsetting and traumatic time for all involved if you go peacefully. The remedy is in your own hands.”

Bailiffs would be used if they refused to go, the judge added. Yesterday, the squatters were given more time to seek legal advice to see if they had a defence under human rights laws and the case was adjourned until today.

The arguments put forward today by the squatters centred on the validity of Quintain’s lease documents and ownership of a basement electricity substation, which the judge dismissed.

Mr Miller, a law student, argued yesterday that many of the group were “vulnerable”, some with mental and physical health problems. But Quintain’s lawyers said there had been a fire at the building and that a squatter was arrested for possessing a firearm.

Outside court today, Mr Miller, 23, said the group would go peacefully, but that they vowed to continue squatting in unoccupied commercial buildings.

He said: “It’s better to squat than to let homes rot at the end of the day.”

A PR firm hired by Quintain, which has owned the building since 2005 under a 15-year lease, said the developers are working with a homeless charity to assist those squatters who need help after the eviction.